Barclays set to unveil technology that will identify customers using the veins in their finger

Barclays is launching a new ‘biometric reader’ that can identify customers by the veins in their finger.

Instead of using a PIN or password, internet banking customers will merely have to press their finger on a scanner plugged into their computer, which will use infrared lights to scan the veins and blood flow under the skin to confirm the user’s identity.
Customers will then have to scan the same finger a second time to confirm their transaction as part of the bank’s ongoing bid to combat fraud.

The gadget will use VeinID, a system developed by Japanese firm Hitachi. Each customer’s so-called ‘vein profile’ will be stored on a SIM card inside the device.

You will still be able to log in using the reader if you suffer a superficial cut to your finger – and if you suffer a ‘severe trauma or loss of finger’, Barclays has said you can call up the bank and simply re-register with another finger instead.